Career Programs

Today there is an increasing interest in the use of flowers, landscape plants and lawn services and there is a demand for trained floral and landscape designers, propagators, and landscaping/grounds keeping workers. Instruction in this program includes plant germination, seed cultivation, soil content, floral design, landscaping, and greenhouse operations and equipment operation. Students participate in FFA, which encourages leadership, citizenship, and entrepreneurship. Graduates are employed as landscape contractors, floral designers, groundskeepers, and nursery production workers or pursue advanced training.

Automotive Collision Repair Technology

Highly skilled automotive collision repair technicians and refinisher are needed to meet current and future labor market demands. Technical instruction to prepare students includes basic auto collision repair, alignment parts and panel replacement, glasswork, custom trim and painting. Students also gain knowledge of mechanical and suspension components, engine accessory systems, emission control systems, drive systems and climate control systems. Graduates enter employment in the trade area or enroll in post-secondary education.

Automotive Technology

Students interested in a career in the automotive technology field are encouraged to enroll in the program. The Automotive Technology program provides students the opportunity to excel in specialized training of automotive engine operations, vehicle maintenance and repair, steering and suspension systems, computerized engine controls, brake systems, electrical systems, fuel and ignition systems and front end alignment. A challenging curriculum prepares students with opportunities to master skills required to pass Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certification examinations. Graduates may pursue employment, continue their education, or enroll in an Associate Degree program in Automotive Technologies at Middlesex County College. This is a joint program between the college and the vocational schools.

Auto Repair

Automotive Repair specialists build, maintain and repair the mechanical, electrical, and body parts of cars, trucks and buses. They may also service tractors and other gasoline and diesel powered equipment. Instruction includes automotive diagnostics, and major automotive repairs. Students learn to use motors, engine analyzers, measuring instruments, repair manuals, and computer scan tools. Graduates find employment opportunities as service technicians, shop supervisors, dealer preparation technicians, tire repairers, auto maintenance technicians or may pursue advanced training.

Students in this program learn the basic skills and knowledge needed in the areas of carpentry and cabinetmaking incorporating the use of hand and power tools, and the operation of common trade equipment and their accessories. Instruction includes framing, roofing, siding and general construction. Graduates work as carpenter/helper, cabinet assembler/installer, sheather, framer, panel installer, flooring installer, porch and deck helper, and roofer or may pursue apprenticeship or advanced training in the trade.

Carpentry

Students who enroll in the Carpentry program learn the basic of home construction, planning, design, safety, and cost estimates. Hands-on training in construction projects ranges from framework to detailed millwork. Graduates are qualified to enter jobs as home construction carpenters, furniture designers or may choose to pursue advanced training.

Computer Assisted Drafting & Design

CADD technicians work with engineers, physicists, architects, surveyors and builders. Utilizing computer assisted drafting systems, students learn how to translate ideas into working drawings. In a high-tech CADD laboratory, students make and read sketches and drawings. They learn the principles of orthographic projection and skills needed for technical, architectural, electrical, welding and piping drafting. Graduates enter a demanding labor market or pursue higher education.

Computer Systems Technology

Combining skills in operating systems, computer architecture and networking, the student will develop the capabilities to design, construct, install and trouble-shoot a range of computer systems and networks. Students are prepared for candidacy as A+ certified technicians. This program is offered at our Perth Amboy and Piscataway Campuses. Special academic requirements must be met in order to enroll. See a Guidance Counselor for further details.

Cosmetology / Hairstyling

The program is designed for students to successfully achieve theoretical and practical skills needed to pass the State Board of Cosmetology license examination and enter employment. Instruction includes all phases of hairstyling, cosmetology and barbering. Students learn haircutting, shampooing, manicuring, scalp treatment, facials, makeup, hair coloring, permanent waving, hair straightening, shaving, and anatomy and physiology. Clinic experience in shop simulated labs provide opportunities for hands-on training and experience in shop operations and management.

Culinary Arts

This course develops skills in the culinary arts and prepares students for the many occupations available in the restaurant industry. Instruction emphasizes understanding essential cooking techniques, which can then be adapted to create innovative new food items. Instruction also includes food sanitation, nutrition and use of equipment. In a simulated restaurant, students prepare and execute a daily lunch menu and learn front and back operations in a restaurant. Employment opportunities range from souse chef, working chef, pantry worker, garde manager, pastry assistant, kitchen sanitation worker. Post secondary opportunities are available in various culinary schools and colleges.

Global Logistics Management Technology

Students who enroll in the Global Logistics Management Technology pathway will practice innovative and critical thinking skills as they develop solutions to authentic logistics of a business, both locally and internationally. Students will learn the complexities businesses deal with in securing raw materials, marketing and distribution products, designing packaging, evaluating distant locations, moving products across multiple borders, receiving products in various ports, transporting products through multiple modes of transportation. Students will also increase their knowledge of various computer applications as they relate to the business world.

Graphic Design

This program will introduce students to an overview of careers in the fields of graphic design. Students will concentrate on working creatively and competently with art tools such as sketching, 2-D Design and transfer that knowledge to areas of technology where they will develop proficiency using Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign and digital photography. Potential careers in Graphic Design: Graphic Artist, Graphic Designer, Art Director, Logo/Brand Designer, Web Designer.

Health Careers

Health Careers is a pathway program that prepares students for entry level employment opportunities to provide routine care and assistance to patients under the direct supervision of other health care professionals, and/or to perform routine maintenance, monitoring and general assistance to patients in their homes, hospitals, clinics, Physicians’ offices, long term care facilities, or laboratories. This program will focus on the preparation of students for certification and state licensing programs such as Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Patient care Technician (PCT), Patient Care Assistant (PCA), Home Health Aide (HHA), Certified Medical Assistant (CMA), or direct entry into a post-secondary Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Program. Instruction will include First Aid and CPR certification, Medical Terminology, Basic human anatomy and Physiology, Diseases of major body systems, Blood Borne Pathogens, Medical/Clinical office procedures, Security, HIPPA, Transcribing Medical/Clinical office Procedures, Electronic Medical Records, Sterilization, Safety, nutrition, communication and more. Making students highly marketable and employable as they continue their education.

Health Technology

Students in Health Technology are introduced to a broad range of healthcare and allied healthcare careers. These services are provided either directly or indirectly to meet preventative, therapeutic, diagnostic, convalescent, rehabilitative, and custodial health needs of individuals and their community. The program enables students to spend time in area hospitals and health facilities exploring different career paths. Job opportunities in technical areas include long term health care facilities, radiology, operating room, cardiology, respiratory, pharmaceutical, physical therapy and dietary. Graduates can also pursue post-secondary degree programs.

Supermarket Careers

The supermarket career program is designed to enable students to gain skills, which lead to employment in supermarkets or retail stores. The course provides instruction in safety, communications, store front operations, cashier, produce, grocery, dairy, frozen foods and human relations. Employment opportunities for graduates include material handler, stock/inventory clerk, shipping, receiving, damage clerk, maintenance, checker, cashier, manager or entrepreneur.

Welding

This course provides a student instruction in electric welding, oxygen acetylene welding, manual and automatic oxygen acetylene cutting and inert gas welding using both the tungsten inert gas and metal inert gas methods and plasma arc cutting and welding. Instruction also includes metallurgy and blueprint reading. Students build structures and repair broken or cracked parts according to specification. Graduates enter employment in the trade or begin apprenticeship or post-secondary training.